AGA Continues to Dispel Myths About Casino Gaming

Recently, the American Gaming Association ("AGA") released a report condensing and consolidating the key findings of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission ("NGISC") on the overall impact of casino gaming in America. The report, entitled, "Casino Gaming in America: Key Findings of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (1997-1999)," is available for free on the AGA's website, www.AmericanGaming.org.

The NGISC was appointed by an Act of Congress to conduct a thorough study of gambling in the United States and met 17 times over a period from 1997 through 1999. The NGISC presented a very detailed, factual and lengthy report, which is available at http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc. The current AGA report condenses this information into a concise summary discussing:

1. The Economic Impact,

2. The Social Impact,

3. The Regulation of the Industry,

4. Disordered Gambling, and

5. Responsible Gaming.

The 43 page AGA report does a thorough job of highlighting the key testimony and key findings of the NGISC and summarizing the conclusions reached by the NGISC. It serves as a comprehensive reference tool, discussing and detailing the impact of casino gaming on the nation and addressing all of the stereotypical myths about the industry.

Today's gaming industry operators - whether they be commercial casino companies or tribal casino operators (or, in some places, both)- have lived up to these challenges and responsibilities and contribute very positively to their host communities in both an economical and social sense. The gaming industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States, assuring the integrity which is absolutely vital to sustain the success of the industry. Demonstrating this integrity, the report notes that the casino gaming industry has been at the forefront of current research and prevention efforts to promote responsible gaming among employees and patrons. In many jurisdictions, the casino operators have partnered with individual states to ensure proper treatment programs exist.

Given the length of the original NGISC study, the AGA should be commended for the fine job it did in consolidating the key findings of the study in one comprehensive report. It is sure to serve as a useful reference tool for anyone in the industry to assist in dispelling the myths that are so common.